When a doctor and patient can’t understand one another because of language differences, it’s a recipe for disaster. It has a negative impact on the overall pleasure of everyone concerned. Patient safety is jeopardized, and the quality of treatment provided is also diminished, as a result of communication breakdowns.
Language difficulties have an impact on both the quality and expense of healthcare. If the doctor and the patient don’t speak the same language, it’s tough to communicate effectively. The healthcare professional has an obligation to offer high-quality treatment for overcoming language barriers in healthcare.
People with limited English proficiency (LEP) have been proven in several studies to be denied equitable access to healthcare because of language obstacles. Similarly, healthcare results are impacted since they do not comprehend the language. Patient satisfaction suffers as a result of the lack of open dialogue between doctor and patient.
Language obstacles can be divided into several categories.
Many Americans solely speak English, but there are also growing populations of people who speak other languages around the country. It is common for the children of immigrants to acquire English at school, and many of them continue to speak the language of their new country. Older people, on the other hand, are not in this situation. Despite their best efforts, they struggle to improve their command of the English language and frequently fall back on dialects.
The fact that English is a worldwide language does not imply that everyone can speak and comprehend it. There are many diverse dialects of the English language. Australian English and British English are two distinct dialects of the same language. Depending on where you’re from, you’ll hear different accents and dialects of the English language. Ugandan English is thick and accented as a result of the several indigenous languages that have shaped the dialect. The French impact on Canadian English makes it distinct from American English.
A blend of British and Persian English is spoken in India, which has been further diluted by the appearance of various indigenous languages. The pronunciation and accent of Philippine English differ from American English, yet the two languages are closely related.
People who speak the same language but with geographical differences might create linguistic obstacles. For example, the development of jargon or technical vocabulary in an industry may not be familiar to non-sector workers.
Another overcoming language barrier in healthcare is dialect. Disagreements and misunderstandings can occur even when persons speak the same language, due to dialectical differences. There are hundreds of dialects in the official languages of several nations across the world.
These are only a few examples of the various ways in which physicians’ and patients’ communication might be hampered.
Strategies to overcome language barriers in healthcare
Everyone should have equal access to healthcare, regardless of their ability to communicate in English. People with limited English proficiency have their rights protected by law. Access to healthcare and other basic services remains a serious issue for all people, regardless of income or race.
In order to overcome language barriers, what can nurses and other healthcare providers do?
One or more of the following measures may be helpful when language difficulties threaten communication between patients and healthcare providers:
- Interpreters given by the healthcare organization might be used for this purpose.
A professional interpretation may be difficult or uncomfortable for the patient to obtain, but most hospitals have procedures in place regulating the employment of professional interpreters and how to contact these specialists. Keep track of any instances in which the patient is experiencing difficulty communicating because of a lack of native language skills.
The employment of an interpreter, a member of staff, or family or friends as an interpreter should be documented in the patient’s medical record, as well as any other policies the provider follows regarding language problems with patients.
- Make use of an interpreter as necessary.
The employment of a professional translator is highly recommended during admissions, discharges, and patient education sessions, especially when discussing medicines. Using a competent translator during these crucial contact times with the patient has been shown to lower the likelihood of readmissions and medical mistakes. Research reveals.
- The employment of staff employees as interpreters should be used with caution.
If a professional translator is not available, try utilizing a nurse or other healthcare practitioner who speaks the patient’s language as an interpreter. When feasible, adhere to the AHRQ’s recommendations, which were developed in conjunction with the agency.
- Strategically recruit medical personnel who can communicate in the languages of the patients.
Non-English speaking patients’ census data may be used by nurse managers to determine which languages they speak most often.
- These nurses should be hired more frequently.
As a last resort, turn to relatives and friends for help with language translation. A patient’s family or friend may be called upon to serve as an interpreter in the event of an emergency or when it is in the best interest of the patient’s health and safety. Avoid utilizing interpreters under the age of 18 in certain situations.
Both healthcare personnel and patients may have difficulty communicating effectively because of differences in language. Although patient safety, excellent treatment, and patient pleasure all depend on it. Patients with poor English proficiency are more likely to have better results and a more positive healthcare experience if nurses and healthcare providers utilize a few key measures.